Reality Tidbits

Just Because Balloon Boy’s Father Is A Complete Tool Does Not Mean All Reality TV Is Evil

This article here tries to tie in the Richard Heene balloon boy fiasco with all that is wrong with reality TV.

She came up with this cracker of a generalisation:

The point however, of reality television, is to push, harass and emotionally abuse contestants to the point where they react in entertaining ways. Some contestants are manipulated to the point of despair, unable to deal with the sudden fame and public scrutiny.

Oh please – balloon boy’s dad is just a complete nutjob.

Former Australian Idol Contestant Lisa Mitchell Got A Cracker Review In The Time

It just goes to show you don’t need to win Australian Idol to have a fantastic music career. Lisa Mitchell got this fantastic review in Times Online#. Hopefully it will translate into sales for her.

Designer Marc Jacobs Has Indicated He Would Like To Do A Reality TV Show.

NY Mag says that Bravo TV are desperately chasing designer Marc Jacobs to be on a reality TV show. The hot designer has indicated he would like to do a reality show. He has appeared on the highly entertaining show The Rachel Zoe Project twice. This also is produced by Bravo.

Ladette To Lady’s Went On Strike

This is old news but Sarah Brunton from the first season of Ladette to Lady told me about the season two ladettes going on strike. It was reported in the SMH in August. The girls refused to do pre-publicity until they were paid $5000. The article said:We also hear two production crew quit the show within the first week, upset about the treatment of the contestants, who complained loudly about a lack of food and having to spend a lot of their own money during filming in Britain.

Got to laugh at that Lisa Mitchell review that implies that Australian Idol was a mistake. If Lisa hadn’t gone on Idol she wouldn’t have had access to the plethora of Australian musicians who have been mentoring her.

But then again, I really don’t get the Lisa hype. Derivative, laboured, trite. I like her song-writing better than her singing. I can’t believe that reviewer compared her favourably to Tori Amos. Tori freaking AMOS. Give me a break.

Nothing forces anyone on to Reality TV shows. Pure and simple. The majority of shows have psychological assistance in place, not to say there aren’t problems ever – missed in screening applicants or failure of care – but, mostly, people should know what they’re up for.

I don’t get the Lisa Mitchell thing either. I’d rather listen to nails being dragged down a blackboard.

RR – Yeah, I loved that season, despite not liking Lisa that much. 😉 That season and season two are my favourites. Chanel Cole is still my all-time favourite Idol contestant. Which seasons are your favourites?

I find these discussions more interesting/enjoyable than the current season!